Reality Check?

Hiya was busy flapping the pages of the travel magazine which she picked up sometime back. The magazine finding it's place in the beautifully decorated corner table, amidst statues and flower pots was something she didn't expect- atleast in the living room. 

Hiya carefully turned one page after another lest she mishandled and tore the glossy pages. She remained glued to pictures of the majestic mountains, the clear blue seas, the bountiful isles, laughing children and wild flowers, indeed nature's beauty was captured so perfectly that her thoughts moved to the pristine surroundings. How she missed her long vacations and trips to those mystified places. 

The living room which was always entertaining some guest or the other was literally empty for the last couple of months. The room which was always abuzz with activities was also having its share of the lockdown. Riya sat on the recliner and glanced at the artefacts and pictures adorning the racks, shelves or corner tables of the tastefully decorated room. She was in love with this room in particular as it drifted her to the best days of her life. 

"Ting Tong"- the doorbell rang. Hiya rushed to check and found a person standing outside the main door. "Yes, please tell me." "Who do you want to meet?" 

Hiya quickly scanned the young boy with suspicion written all over her face. The boy was formally dressed and was sweating profusely.  He asked, "Isn't it Hiya Phukan's house?" Hiya stood there perplexed, she took a minute to finally reply with a "Yyeesss." Before Hiya could ask anything else, the young boy quickly introduced himself.  "Madam, I am Jishnu from Yatra-a one stop destination for travellers." "Would you be kind enough to spare some time from your busy schedule?" Hiya wanted to slam the door on the boy's face, but somehow looking at his condition, she just muttered slowly, "See, I am sorry. It's Corona time, I don't want any products. Thank you." 

"Baidow, please listen to me." "I have come to you with much hope." Please spare some time, here is my COVID test result, it's negative." Jishnu murmured looking pale and tired. 

Hiya opened the main gate and stood on its pathway asking the boy to go ahead with what he was speaking. Jishnu immediately took out a pamphlet and started explaining how his company- Yatra was giving special discounts to prospective travellers on various things like airfares, hotel, restaurants, shopping etc. At the end of his presentation, he told Hiya, "Madam, last year around this time you went on holidays to Paris and Switzerland and the previous year to Maldives." "Would you be kind enough to plan a trip to any of the tourism hotspots in India?" Hiya stood there shocked, she was wondering how a stranger knew about her travel history. She reacted angrily and questioned Jishnu on how he knew about her travel details. Hiya was literally fuming with anger and started thinking if this boy was ever connected to her. She screamed at the boy, "Are you crazy? Do you want me to die by going on holidays during this pandemic?" 

"Please baido, don't be angry. I have come to you with much hope." Please make a booking even if you don't embark on a vacation." "I will make the payment on your behalf, but you please make the booking." Tears welled up on Jishnu's eyes, he pleaded, " I will lose my job today if I can't make a booking." "Please save my job baido or else my whole family will have to die without food." 

Hiya stood there shocked. She just couldn't react to an unprecedented situation. She quickly rushed out, picked the pamphlet and bag and asked Jishnu to come inside. Hiya then asked her househelp to get some food and water. After Jishnu finished eating, she heard his struggle story and promised to help him in whatever way possible. She brought tickets to Andaman and also gave some extra money to the young boy who was in the brink of a breakdown. 

Hiya knew things would change for the better in 2021 but for now, it was her turn to stand by someone who needed her support to win over the difficult challenge for forth to humanity by Time.